One of the memories that make me feel most special is looking in my mind's eye at the wall at my Bestefars (Danish for "best father" or "grandfather") apartment in Toronto. There was a picture there of me with a gold plaque under it with the saying "It's your eyes Ducky, it's your eyes". I never knew who wrote that quote. All I knew is that it made me feel so special seeing that and NOT seeing anything under my brother's pictures!! It is the best memory of my Bestefar I have. He died when I was 13 due to a heart attack. When my dad and I went to his apartment to clean it out - I found out he had been a raging alcoholic and when we were young my dad gave him the ultimatium. Dont drink around my kids - or you wont see them.
This shattered the pedestal my Bestefar had been on. And it shaped the woman I was to become. I became a clinical counsellor, specializing in Addictions. Not consciously because of my Bestefar, but in hindsight, it played a large part.
After spending years counselling individuals struggling with addictions, I really am able to grasp how difficult it might have been for Bestefar to not drink around us. That is the power of love. When you are able to effectively change who you are - even for small periods of time - for the innocent.
Its not the paint or powder that makes a fellow care, it's not the clothes you wear or the style you keep your hair, it's not the Ruby lips that make a fellow want a kiss... ITS YOUR EYES DUCKY, ITS YOUR EYES.
ReplyDeleteThis is the song or as much as I know of it. Something my great grandmother sung to us all, her father was Norwegian, so maybe there is a Scandinavian connection?
My gram used to say this little poem, limerick, or whatever as well. She’s English.
DeleteMy gram used to say this little poem, limerick, or whatever as well. She’s English.
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